Letter to the Editor: Punishments for drunken driving are not tough enough

The recent drunk driving case of the teenager in Texas who
got away with just probation and rehab really gets under my skin.

His defense for what he did is not
acceptable, and he needs to accept the consequences for what he has done.

I have no sympathy for those who choose to get behind the
wheel after they have had too much to drink.
I also do not have sympathy for those who make no attempt to take away
the keys from someone who has no business driving.

My reasons are personal for what I have written above:
I have a family member who was deeply affected by a drunk driving incident many
years ago. She may never 100% forget
what happened that night.

Had she not
been following her boyfriend in a car from work that night instead of riding on
the back of his motorcycle, she may not be here today or badly injured. I watched what the experience did to her and
it was not good.

People can shoot others with guns, stab people, or hit with a
fist and often get sentences that may be up to life with or without parole
chances.

How come when someone gets behind the
wheel of a several-ton car under the influence of alcohol, so many do not
get close to the punishments of those who use other weapons?